As some of you may know, I write for ESPN’s NBA Rumor Central every day (and lately, most Sundays). As of the last few weeks, this means I’ve been reading a lot about tonight’s NBA Draft. As a change of pace around these parts in the dead season of IU basketball, here’s a look at where some players of interest could land this evening.

BIG TEN

Evan Turner — The Ohio State University

He’ll likely go to the Sixers with the second pick, after John Wall goes No. 1 to the Wizards. Though Turner filled up the box score in college and was a pretty efficient scorer, there are some concerns about him at the next level. Some question whether he has the elite athleticism to play in the NBA, and wonder if getting guarded by smaller players during Big Ten season made him look better than he really is.

In any event, he’s projected to be a Brandon Roy-type player in the league. Good. But perhaps not great.

Manny Harris — Michigan

When Harris declared for the draft, I wondered whether he was going to get drafted or not. But in the latest rendition of Chad Ford’s mock draft, he has Harris going in the second round (No. 52) to the Celtics. So expect him to land mid-second round somewhere.

Harris knows how to put the ball in the hole, so if he works hard, he may be able to fill the role of a guy off the bench that can come in and provide energy and scoring.

INDIANA KIDS

Gordon Hayward — Butler

Hayward had been slated as high as No. 8 the Clippers, and a team featuring him and Eric Gordon would have been fun. The Clippers need a small forward, but they also have enough cash to sign a max free agent, so it’s possible they might try to go that route. LeBron James is unlikely, but Rudy Gay could be had for the right price.

Ford now has Hayward going No. 10 to the Pacers for some home-state lovin’.

But the Pacers are trying to trade for a point guard, and the No. 10 pick might be included in such a deal.

Hayward needs to get stronger at the next level, and his shot fell off a bit last year, so he needs to get that back as well.

Luke Harangody — Notre Dame

He could sneak into the late second round, but it seems like he might just miss out on getting drafted.

KELVIN SAMPSON ALL-STARS

Jordan Crawford (The Undisciplined One) — Xavier

There’s talk Crawford could go as high as No. 17 to the Bulls, as they need scoring from the shooting-guard position. (That’s if the Bulls keep their pick. They are looking to trade it for cap space to try and have enough money to sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh.) But Ford has him slated at No. 25 to the Grizzlies, though teams in-between 17 and 25 could bite on him, too.

Crawford has a knack for putting the ball in the basket, but at 6-4, he doesn’t have great size for a shooting guard. And there are concerns about whether he could run an offense like a point guard should from the 1.

He is, after all, The Undisciplined One.

Devin Ebanks — West Virginia

Ebanks could sneak into the late first-round, but Ford has him going in the second round to Miami (No. 42). Another year in college might have served him well.

Ebanks has a ways to go with his offensive game, but he’s got a reputation as a good defender at multiple positions, which teams are always in need of.

Armon Bassett — Ohio University

In the fall, Bassett will likely be in one of two places: 1. The D-League or 2. Europe. In other words, it’s unlikely he gets drafted this evening.

Fair enough. Perhaps I should have written: “Very good. But perhaps not great.”

kristheboss

Devin Dumes second round darkhorse

IUMIKE1

Random stuff.

Some really neat and good pics and video on CTC's twitter.

Stumbled onto what looks like it could be kind of a neat site called LostLetterman.com. Haven't had a chance to really check it out yet but you can do the, where are they now thing, on just about any former college bball or football player at just about any college. It looks to be a wikipedia type site and didn't have a whole lot of info on every single player but what little bit I did look at it it had some interesting tidbits on some former Hoosiers.

We need / deserve something big and good to happen in the world of IU bball. Have to keep quoting CTC silently to myself ” don't have patience have perspective “. One of his best quotes IMO.

Off season and pUKe they both suck really bad.

MillaRed

Career stats of 20 ppg over four years. No real deep playoff runs. He'll be 26 next season. Not a great player in my book.

However, if Turner is the equal to Roy I think his team would be more than happy with that.

Hardwood83

In testament to how far the NBA has fallen off my radar I had absolutely no idea who Brandon Roy was or where he came from. Thanks to google I now know all I want to about the young man. The NBA is nearly irrelevant to me, of course it doesn't help the Pacers have sucked the last few yrs. If they get it turned around I could be coaxed back into caring.

marsh21

I don't believe Evan Turner will make a legit PG in the NBA. His dribbling skills are suspect under good D. He blew the Tennessee game all by himself and with the help of his coach. He will be ok but not the stud people think

Danny

Gotta love seeing all 5 of Calipari’s going in the top 29. without making a final four!! lol

Q95

the nba draft leaves me totally speechless. its unbelievable so many players with questionable talent, discipline and work ethic are able to walk into million dollar paydays..

HoosierSmitty

Amen, brother! The NBA is no longer a sport, but entertainment, and terrible entertainment at that. I just continue to hope that the NBA won't tarnish the beautiful SPORT of college basketball any more than it already has!

marcusgresham

I'll never understand the logic (or lack thereof,) of most NBA GMs. Draft a guy on potential, let him sit on your bench for a couple of years, then watch him sign with someone else as a free agent when he's finally good enough to help you. I'd draft more guys like Turner (e.g., upperclassmen,) and then take the “potential” guys 3 years later when they've shown whether they'll live up to the hype or not.

Kelin Blab

On a side note, Larry Bird is the worst GM in the history of basketball on planet earth and possibly Mars, Neptune, and Venus….He is ruining his larry legend status on a daily basis.

Devin Ebanks is a lucky man

Q95

what a circus. coach cal is attending the draft to see his fab five off to the nba via round one. didn't this group watch the final four from home? what's he so enthused about, or does he just enjoy the airtime? speaks volumes for the current state of kentucky basketball.

Completely agree….I think I heard a rumor he was stepping down sometime soon I could be wrong but it sure would be nice. Although this years draft at least was better…although Larry hasn't exactly set the bar high. I'm a Bulls fan first but since I'm close to the Pacers I'll pull for them too. All I can say is theres no reason George and Stephenson aren't playing a ton next year…now if the Pacers can just get something good for Murphy…

He enjoys the fact that he can now tell any potential recruit he had the most players ever drafted in the first round at once which will be very appealing to the type of players he recruits. He will however fail to mention just what tactics he used to get that many at once….

MillaRed

Followed by the fact he couldn't reach a Final Four with these five first round picks, two All-Americans etc etc. He has World Wide Wes in his corner. The record doesn't matter. It's a springboard for the NBA and nothing less.

Kelin Blab

I hope the expectations are even higher this year for Kensucky so they can flame out for the 2nd year in a row.

Kelin Blab

Anthony I hope he steps down TODAY. You go into a draft with needs that everyone knows you have and via trade or draft you address neither one….still no point guard, still no defending big man, no second scorer….natta…..

The Bulls dismantled a dynasty but quickly rebuilt a solid playoff team by making some right and tough choices……why Bird can't do that is beyond me.

millzy32

Wow is the draft watered down with all these underclassmen. The Pacers get a guy out of Cincinnati averaging 12 points a game in the second round and about 4 assists.

Heck, why didn't Watford get drafted and Verdell for that matter. I am joking but their stats are better than a lot of the players drafted. NBA really reaching for these guys these days.

millzy32

I think you're missing the point. All this does is strengthen Kentucky and they'll get all of the top High School talent wanting to go there. Not that this isn't already happening but why wouldn't you want to go there now if you had a shot at the NBA. It's an NBA factory down there now. Heck, maybe now Calipari doesn't even have to pay his players anymore they'll just come based on track record. Ugh.

millzy32

I hate Kentucky but Cal has been there 1 year and had a deep run in the NCAA and if not for a bad game vs WV may have taken the whole thing (never know).

Would be nice to be relevant like they are no? I don't like his methods either but you guys knocking his results seem a little like sour grapes. He had Memphis in the title game and if not for a complete meltdown with 2 minutes to go would have had them winning it all. The guy is as shady as they come but he's a proven recruiter and winner.

Kentucky will sadly be relevant again this year with all new players. Truth is they don't rebuild they reload. Lets pray he gets an NBA job soon.

swarley

Very interesting to see that Kentucky has 5 players drafted in the first round….and they didn't even make the Final 4. Cheating can only get you so far.

Hardwood83

Sour Grapes? I hate Kentucky with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns, you literally can NOT say anything bad enough about their coach, program, 'school' or state as far as I'm concerned. I am offended that you merely ascribe that to 'sour grapes', I work hard to cultivate this pervasive, deep-seeded loathing of all things pUKe, please don't cheapen it by calling it 'sour grapes'.

marcusgresham

Don't forget Elgin Baylor and Michael Jordan

IUMIKE1

A lot of teams last year, and a lot of other years as far as that goes could say the same thing about having a bad game somewhere along the line in the big dance including IU. If I'm not mistaken the year they would have won the title if not for a meltdown in the last 2 minutes was also the year that was vacated of all W's later on so it would not have mattered if they would have won it all but I know what you are saying, in a recruit's mind he might as well have won it all because that's how they see it.

” IF ” is such a little word to carry so much effect.

IUMIKE1

WOW !! I guess there is somebody that hates everything pUKe almost as much as me.

You almost sound like you live in southern IN like me and marcusgresham. The blue plague seems to hit harder, more often and in larger doses in southern IN than in parts of the state north of here.